Smoke and Glitter

Today’s tutorial is on a look I came up with that can go from day to night, and has a slight smoked out effect. I feel this will fast become one of my go to day to night smokey looks. It definitely makes blue and green eyes pop! So if you’d like to see how I completed this look READ ON!

~ COLOURS USED ~

Todays look I’ve used all shadows by Makeup Geek and a pressed pigment by MAC Cosmetics called Day Gleam.

~ STEP 1 ~

As always, I start off by priming my eyes with my trusty Shadow Insurance by Too Faced. Then taking the colour Beaches & Cream I using my big fluffy blending brush (E35) I blend that into my crease and all over my lid and all the way up to my brow bone. Taking more of that same colour I concentrate it into the crease and keep blending till I am happy with the colour.

~ STEP 2 ~

Taking the colour Nearly Naked I use a slightly less fluffy blending brush (E25) for more precise shadow placement, and blend that out into my crease and just above. I go in a few times to darken and smoke out the colour more.

~ STEP 3 ~

As I want to really help make my eyes pop, I take the colour Cocoa Bear to deepen the crease further. Using the same brush I used before, I blend the colour out into my crease and onto my inner corner and outer V. With this step, you want to make sure you keep the centre of the lid free of colour – for now…

~ STEP 4 ~

Taking a more precise blending brush (E45) I blend the all the colours together so there are no harsh lines or edges.  this helps to also keep the centre of the lid shadow free.

~ STEP 5 ~

Taking the pressed pigment Day Gleam by MAC Cosmetics, I take my ring finger and lightly swirl it around picking up the colour with my finger and pressing it into the Centre of my lid.

~ STEP 6 ~

Then taking a small crease blending brush (E47) I take the colour Mocha and darken up just the outer V and bring that into just my crease and blend it out. This will help to smoke out the look whilst adding some depth to it as well.

~ STEP 7 ~

I go over the crease again with my big fluffy blending brush and go over the crease and ensure there are no harsh lines. As I want this look to be really smokey I decide not to use a liquid liner but rather an eye pencil (Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Mahogany by Bobbi Brown) and smudge it out using The Liner brush by Hair and Makeup Addiction.  I also decide to take more of Day Gleam and place it into the centre of my lid and right into my inner corner.

~ STEP 8 ~

I curl my lashes with MAC Cosmetics Full Lash Curler and then apply a couple of coats of Smokey Eye Mascara by Bobbi brown (am really loving this at the moment) and finish off my under eye by taking the same eye pencil I used earlier and smudging it with the same liner brush under my whole waterline and then lining my waterline with it. Going over the top of the liner with the colour Cocoa Bear and coating my lower lashes with the same Smokey Eye Mascara.

… FINISHED …

So here you have the finished look. You chould choose to add false lashes if you wish but I just chose to go au natural-ish and just stick with mascara.

Hope you like this one – let me know what you think or if you try it for yourself…

Till next time XOXO

30 Days of Beauty – Part 1

Hey my lovelies,

As most of you may or may not know I completed a self-imposed 30 Day Makeup Challenge last year so I decided it was high time I did another one. After much thought I decided to make one not based solely on makeup looks but about beauty in general as well. I dont know if any of you have partaken in a 30 day beauty/makeup challenge but I actually find them to be tricky… especially seeing as I work in an office for the majorty of my day I have to somehow make it “work appropriate”. Anyway without any further delay please find the whole 30 Days of Beauty Challenge by yours truely…

~ THE CHALLENGE ~ 

~ DAY 1 ~

…No makeup, makeup…

This is would have to be my go to makeup look. This is the look I usually wear on weekends if I have nothing really that special on but I might be out to lunch with a friend or just running errands 🙂 Its super easy, fresh and light on the skin. Products used are as follows:

• Embryolisse Lait Creme
• Tony Moly Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm
• Garnier BB Cream Oil Free
• Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Peach
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
• Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder
• The Balm Hot Mama Blush
• MAC’s MSF in Soft and Gentle
• Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara

~ DAY 2 ~

…Lip Cocktail…

If you’re coming into winter, or maybe you’re like me & are just prone to dry lips you find yourself always reaching for your pawpaw or chapstick… well here is my cocktail for, dare I say it – more kissable lips?
1. Firstly you will need to start with a lip scrub (anyone will do) – the one I am using here is my Santas Lip Scrub by Lush (limited edition for Xmas but they have other delicious flavours such as bubblegum). Take a tiny bit & place on your lips & scrub scrub scub. The best part about this scrub is it’s made up of all natural ingredients & you can just lick it off when you’re done – yup thats right ladies/gents it’s edible :O – and delicious 🙂
2. Once you’ve scrubbed your top & bottom lip apply some moisturizing lip balm (again any one will do) – I like to use Lucas Papaw Ointment (it’s da bom). Apply a generous layer & let it sink in so your lips are fully moisturized
3. After the balm has sunk in, apply your chosen lipstick – here I am using Rouge Allure in number 88 by Chanel.      4.  To finish it off I’ve applied a nude lip gloss by Bobbi Brown in the colour Buff 4 over the top.

So there you have it, fresh and ready to do some kissin’ haha!

~ DAY 3 ~

… Victoria’s Secret Bombshell…

By no means do I even compare to the Victoria’s Secret beauties – but I thought I would attempt to give their stunning effortless makeup look a go. They are always so glowy and fresh – with an oh so subtle slight smoked out eye… Products are below:

• Shadow Insurance by Too Faced Cosmetics
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pots and Pans
• Soft Brown, Espresso, Grain & Nylon eyeshadow by MAC Cosmetics
• Derailed from the Vice 2 Pallete from Urban Decay
• Hush Cream Colour Base by MAC Cosmetics
• Chromagraphic Pencil in Black Black by MAC Cosmetics
• Le Volume De Chanel Mascara by Chanel
• No. 2 lashes by Lashes in a Box

~ DAY 4 ~

…Evening Look…

This is just a fun look that I actually normally would wear out at night – or even for something bold during the day. It features one of my most FAVOURITE brands – Makeup Geek and their pigment Utopia. I actually posted a little video on my instagram of how I did this look if you want to go check it out 🙂 A List of products used is below:

• Shadow Insurance by Too Faced Cosmetics
• Preppy, Creme Brulee, Cocoa Bear & Corrupt all by Makeup Geek
• Utopia Pigment by Makeup Geek
• Schwing Liquid Liner by The Balm
• Le Volume De Chanel Mascara by Chanel

~ DAY 5 ~

…Lashes…

I firmly believe that, like a great pair of shoes complete an outfit – lashes do the same for your makeup. I love them all – from the subtle to the not so subtle… They can really help open up the eye and add a dramatic flair. The pair I am wearing in the picture below are one of my favourite dramatic lashes by Velour Lashes in the style “Doll Me Up”

~ DAY 6 ~

… Favourite Body Products (top 5)…

Here are my top 5, can’t live without, body products… Clockwise from L-R:

• Kerastase Réflection Masque Chroma Captive – this conditioner is AMAAAAAZING. I use this on mainly the ends of my hair as they’re dyed so need a little extra love – I leave it in for approx. 5mins & wash it out – result: super soft hair!!
• Clarisonic Mia 2 – this is my true skin savior… I’ll admit I bought this on a bit of a whim – but I have not looked back. It helps ensure my face is 100% clean, improved the overall elasticity of my skin & the way it absorbes moisturiser
• Clinique Skin Sparkle Exfoliant – this is the best I’ve ever used. It does an amazing job of helping leave my skin smooth like a babies bottom but it also contains salicylic acid & menthol which help leave the skin feeling smooth & refreshed not tight & dry like a lot of exfoliants do
• Michael Todd True Organics – Tropical Fruit exfoliant – I use this is on my face & I love that it’s made out of all natural ingredients is perfect for my sensitive skin 
• Kerastase Bain Elixir Ultime shampoo – I love how this leaves my hair soft but not flat plus it smells divine!

~ DAY 7 ~

…Eyebrows…

I have pretty full brows as it is – but in my opinion that’s even more of a reason to maintain them. In order to get the shape I want I get them threaded at the brow spa in David Jones (Elizabeth Street Store) then taking my Brow Powder Duo in Medium by Sigma and my no.12 large synthetic duo brush Anastasia Beverly Hills I concentrate on filling in the beginning and the end of my brow  then taking my Clear Brow Gel by Anastasia Beverly Hills I set it all in place. I usually only do this if I’m going out at night and want a more dramatic look.

~ DAY8 ~

…Drugstore Makeup Look…

This look is for those of you who are might just be beginning with makeup, or are on a budget or just don’t want to spend a lot on cosmetics… all products purchased from Priceline:

• Base Magique & Lumi Magique Pure Light both by Loreal 
• Match Perfection Foundation, Transparent Loose Powder & Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze all by Rimmel
• Fit Me Concealer by Maybelline
• Blush in Pom Pom Rose & Rose Frisson both by Bourjois
• Mega Plush Mascara & Colossal Volum’ Mascara both by Maybelline

~ DAY 9 ~

 …Fave Makeup Products…

These are a few of my all time favourite products that I find myself reaching for time and time again – and each time I use them I remember why I fell I love with them…

1. Strobe Cream by MAC Cosmetics- this is hands down the best illuminating cream I’ve used so far. It smells great and really helps my skin glow 

2. Radiance Gel Bronzer by Chantecaille – as I’ve got dry skin I prefer this to using powders as it blends super easy & helps give my skin a more natural sun kissed glow. 

3.  Glam Eyes Liquid Liner by Rimmel – this in my opinion the easiest liquid liner to use, super pigmented and it’s affordable!

4. Sheer Glow Foundation by NARS – this is a gorgeous full coverage foundation but still helps give a natural finish. A little goes a long way.

5. My own personalised neutrals palette of Makeup Geek eyeshadows. These shadows are seriously amazing – high quality, super pigmented and completely affordable!

6. Melon Pigment by MAC Cosmetics – this is my go to colour for summer – it’s stunning and pairs beautifully with reddish brown shadows – really makes green eyes pop!

7. Naked Pigment by MAC Cometics – this is beautiful natural pigment that you could even use as a highlight on your cheekbones

~ DAY 10 ~

…Bridal…

Here is a shot of my gorgeous friend Alex, I did the makeup for her wedding – she wanted very sheer, minimal makeup. I was lucky in that she had taken my advice from the trial we did & really worked on rehydrating her skin & looking after it. As you can see the end result was flawless. Products are as follows:

• Lait-Crème Concentrè by Embryolisse
• Face and Body Foundation by MAC Cosmetics
• On the lids is All That Glitters & Haux in the crease both by MAC Cosmetics
• On the cheeks I mixed two shades from my 10 colour Professional Blush Palette from BH Cosmetics
• Highlighted the cheekbones and centre if the face using Mary-Lou Manizer by The Balm
• On the lips a simple colour using Butter Gloss in colour Crème Brûlée by NYX Cosmetcs 
• I didn’t apply lashes or mascara to Alex as she’d had lash extensions so they were gorgeous thick and didn’t need anything 🙂 all brushes used were by Sigma 

Alex’s Photographs were taken by Lovelight Photography

Stay tuned for Part 2 later in the week…

Till next time xoxo

Valentines Day Look 4

Firstly Happy Valentines Day my loves!! I hope you’re having a lovely day no matter what you’re doing. Well, here is the fourth and final look in my Valentines Day series. This is my take on a smokey eye… So if you want to see how I do this read onwards xx

~STEP 1~

As this is a strong look with dark colours I definitely don’t want this look to crease so I prime my eyes with Shadow Insurance by Too Faced Cosmetics. Then taking Crème Brûlée by Makeup Geek on my E45 Small Tapered Blending Brush by Sigma I place this just above my crease and blend thoroughly.

~STEP 2~

Using the same brush I take Cocoa Bear by Makeup Geek and blend into my crease and upwards into where I placed Crème Brûlée. Blend until the two colours transition smoothly.

~STEP 3~

Next I take my Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet (I am obsessed with this btw – it is the only eyeliner pencil that actually stays put and doesnt smudge underneath my eyes) and roughly line my upper lash line.

~STEP 4~

Taking The Shader Brush from my Hair and Makeup Addiction Luxury Set, I blend the liner over my lid. When doing this make sure to NOT blend it into you crease – stop just before the crease. If you take it further you’re going to end up with too much black, you will lose your transition colours and end up looking like a panda or two burnt holes in a blanket

~STEP 5~

After I have blended the eyeliner over my lid I take Corrupt by Makeup Geek on the same brush The Shader we used to blend in the eyeliner. To place this on the lid I gently pack it on in patting motions.

~STEP 6~

BLEND! This is the key element in making this look work. So I take the same E45 brush we used earlier and take a little more Cocoa Bear and start blending Corrupt and Cocoa Bear together until the two become seamless and transition nicely.

~FINISH~

Once I am happy with the blending of the two colours. I apply my fave mascara – Goddess Mascara by Eye of Horus. Then I line my lower lash line with Mocha by Makeup Geek with The Detailer by Makeup and Hair Addiction and add a coat of Goddess Mascara by Eye of Horus. Then to lighten my inner corner a bit I add the colour Nylon by MAC Cosmetics with my finger tip and then applied a nude lip using the shade Shy Girl by MAC Costmetics and TA DAAAAA all finished!

So I know this look is a little bold but I hope you like it and if you try it out and like it I would love to hear about it.

Till next time xoxo

Makeup Geek

Hi my loves,

I don’t know about you but I am constantly on the hunt the latest and greatest products and in my travels I have come across some really wonderful and different things. One of my most favourite things I’ve discovered is a brand called Makeup Geek. I first heard about the brand through watching one of my FAVOURITE YouTube beauty guru’s Jaclyn Hill  videos. So I decided to go online and have a look – if I am perfectly honest the first thing that caught my eye was the price! Their shadows come in two types: Pans $5.99 and Compacts $7.99 – to me that is an amazingly good price. I get the refill pans as I prefer to make my own palettes using my Z palettes which you can also buy through Makeup Geeks store. After watching a few other videos on YouTube featuring Makeup Geek shadows I decided to take the punt and order some – So I did and boy was I pleasantly surprised. Having sworn by MAC shadows for the longest time I was so happy to see another brand take them on and deliver on price, quality and service.

I started small with an order of a couple of their neutral shades… and today I’ve filled up one palette and am on to my second. So I thought I would share with you the shadows I’ve bought and do some swatches for you so you can see just how incredible the colours are:

Just a couple of points before I get into the swatches:

1.  I am swatching 5 shadows at a time, taken straight out of my Z palettes in the rows as Ive arranged them.

2. My skin is a medium tone (in the pictures it looks lighter because of the flash) so keep that in mind when looking at the swatches as some colours will look different on someone who is very fair and vice versa.

~NEUTRALS~

This palette I compiled over a couple of months and I have to say Im really happy with how its turned out:

~NEUTRAL SWATCHES~

L-R: Shimma Shimma, Vanilla Bean, Beaches & Cream, Peach Smoothie, Creme Brulee

L-R: Purely Naked, Cocoa Bear, Last Dance, Burlesque, Brown sugar

L-R: Country Girl, Goddess, Mocha, Corrupt, Moondust

L-R: Taupe Notch, Twilight, Unexpected, Cupcake, Cinderella

L-R: Cosmopolitan, Frappe, Pretentious, Preppy, Gold Digger

L-R: Chickadee, Mango Tango 

~COLOURS~

While I love a traditional smokey eye or a neutral look I do love to incorporate bright colour into my looks as well. So with that in mind I started this palette and I have to say I’m really happy about how it’s starting to shape up.

~COLOURED SWATCHES~

L-R: Stealth, Galaxy, Mercury, Prom Night, Hipster

L-R: Envy, Dirty Martini, Bitten, Razzleberry, Simply Marlena

L-R: Wisteria, Drama Queen, Fuji, Lemon Drop, Neptune 

L-R: Boo Berry, Peacock, Sea Mist, Mermaid, Poolside

I honestly adore these shadows and I use them pretty much every day on both myself and on my clients. The quality of them as you can see from the pictures is amazing – and I’m so happy I bought these and have no regrets. I also have to say the customer service is outstanding – but don’t take my word for it – go and try it for yourself 🙂